Carrying case



ceptacle already described may be readily formed by known methods of molding technique so as to have these parts smoothly blend into each other and provide a unitary sturdy integral member. The partitions 20 and 22 previously mentioned are preferably formed relatively thick in section and thus are relatively stiff for additional support. These partitions and the side walls are tapered somewhat from their lower or base portions adjacent bottom wall 24 to their free upper edge portions as clearly indicated in Fig. 1 in a manner which facilitates removal of the mold core from within the case after the molding operation, whereby pockets or chambers 34, 36 and 38 are formed. The partitions are so spaced from each other that the side pockets 34 and 38 are relatively long and narrow but of sufficient size to receive a pair of pipettes 40 and 42 of known type, each employing a flexible tube with mouth piece thereon. The size of the central pocket 36 between the elongated tapered partitions 20 and 22 is such as to conveniently loosely receive a standard haemacytometer completely enclosed by said front and rear walls.

In order to insure that the coated and minutely ruled counting surfaces of such a haemacytometer are at all times out of contact with the inner surfaces of the carrying case, whether the haemacytometer be inserted in the pocket 36 facing forwardly or rearwardly, a pair of internal spacing ribs 46 is provided upon the rear wall 14 and arranged to extend from the bottom 24 substantially to the top of the case and a second pair of internal spacing ribs 4'? is provided upon the front wall 12 and extends from the bottom 24 substantially to the edge of a central recess 48. The length of a standard haemacytometer 48, indicated by dotted lines, is materially less than the pipettes 40 and 42 also provided in such a set. Accordingly, it has been found convenient to make the recess 48 in the front wall 12 extend between the tapered elongated partitions 23 and 22 and extend into the front wall nearly one-half the length of the carrying case. By providing such a wide deep central recess, it is possible to accommodate in this recess a transverse reinforcing tab 50 which is formed integral with the inner surface of the cover flap 26 and which, when the cover flap 26 is folded over to close the upper end of the carrying case, will project into the recess 48 adjacent the transverse edge thereof so as to not only prevent any material movement of the haemacytometer within the pocket 36 but so as to engage the back wall H of the case and also serve asa transverse reinforcing element for this part of the closed case. Furthermore, this transverse reinforcing tab 50 will serve to enclose one or a pair of standard 6 or 8 mm. cover plates, as indicated by dotted lines 52, these cover plates being contained within the free space formed in the upper part of the case above the pocket 36 and between the partitions 20 and 22. They will be prevented from moving upwardly or downwardly, respectively, by the hinged portions 30 of the cover flap and by the transverse reinforcing tab 50 and thus contact between the edges of the cover plates and the adjacent edge of the haemacytometer 49 will be prevented. A snap fastener or other suitable fastening means 54 may be provided for holding the cover flap in closed position overlying the front wall of the case.

It should be noted that while the carrying case or receptacle I is molded as a unitary member of one piece of flexible or pliable plastic material,

such as polyethylene or other well-known thermo-plastic, such material has material rigidity and toughness. It is, nevertheless, sufllciently yieldable or flexible, when of thin enough section it may be easily and readily flexed into a folded position, such as at hinge portions 30 of the cover flap 26. On the other hand, the plastic material employed is such that when used for thicker sections of the receptacle, such as in partitions 20 and 22, these parts are relatively rigid and will withstand considerable compression. It has been found possible by the use of such plastic material to provide a compact sturdy and inexpensive carrying case for haemacytometer sets and the like, one which will stand considerable usage without injury to the articles within.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An elongated molded carrying case formed of semiflexible plastic material and arranged to receive fragile equipment, said carrying case comprising front and rear walls and a pair of side walls integrally joined together along their adjacent edges, a pair of spaced elongated partitions disposed between said side walls and integrally secured to said front and rear walls, a bottom wall integrally secured to said side walls, to said partitions and to said front and rear walls, said side walls terminating in upper rounded end portions of such curvature as to tangentially merge with the front surface of said rear wall and with the front surface of said front wall, a cover flap for closing the upper open end of said case, said cover flap comprising a relatively thin flexible portion molded integrally with said back wall and adapted to bend smoothly around the curved upper edges of said side walls and bear thereagainst when moved to closed position, and a relatively thicker stiffer outer portion molded integrally therewith and adapted to overlie in a relatively flat manner a part of the front wall of said case when in said closed position, and means for securing said cover flap in said closed position, said partitions dividing said case into a pair of elongated side compartments and a relatively wider central compartment, said front wall being recessed between said partitions and adjacent the upper end of the central compartment, and a transverse reinforcing rib integrally secured to the relatively stiffer outer portion of said cover flap and extending outwardly from the inside surface thereof, said transverse rib being of such length as to substantially fill the space between said partitions and extending so as to substantially abut the rear wall of said case at a location within said recess, so as to close the lower portion of said central compartment and so as to serve as transverse strengthening means for the case.

2. An elongated molded carrying case formed of semi-flexible plastic material and arranged to receive a haemacytometer and like fragile microscopical counting equipment, said carrying case comprising front and rear Walls and a pair of side, Walls integrally joined together along their adjacent edges, a pair of spaced elongated partitions,

disposed between said side walls and integrally secured to said front and rear walls, a bottom, wall integrally secured to said side walls, to said partitions and to said front and rear walls, said side walls terminating in upper rounded end portions of such curvature as to tangentially merge with the front surface of said rear wall and with the front surface of said front wall, a cover flap for closing the upper open end of said case, said cover nap comprising a relatively thin flexible portion molded integrally with said back wall and adapted to bend smoothly around the curved upper edges of said side walls and bear thereagainst when moved to closed position, and a relatively thicker stiffer outer portion molded integrally therewith and adapted to overlie in a relatively flat manner a part of the front Wall of said case when in said closed position, and means for securing said cover flap in said closed position, said partitions dividing said case into a pair of elongated side compartments for receiving pipettes or the like and a central compartment, said front wall being recessed adjacent the upper end of the central compartment, and a transverse reinforcing rib integrally secured to the relatively stiffer outer portion of said cover flap and extending outwardly from the inside surface thereof, said transverse rib being of such length as to substantially fill the space between said partitions and extending so as to substantially abut the rear wall of said case at a location within the recess so as to divide said central compartment, when the cover iiap is in closed position, into a lower portion for receiving a haemacytometer and an upper portion for receiving a haemacy tometer cover plate, said transverse rib serving to strengthen said case against compression at a location intermediate upper and lower portions of said central compartment.

3. An elongated molded carrying case formed of semi-flexible plastic material and arranged to receive fragile equipment, said carrying case comprising front and rear walls and a pair of side walls integrally joined together along their adjacent edges, a pair of spaced elongated partitions disposed between said side walls and integrally secured to said front and rear walls, a bottom wall integrally secured to said side walls, to said partitions and to said front and rear walls, said side walls and said partitions each terminating in an upper rounded end portion of such curvature as to tangentially merge with the front surface of said rear wall and with the front surface of said front wall, a cover flap for closing the upper open end of said case, said cover flap comprising a relatively flexible portion molded integrally with said back wall and adapted to bend smoothly around the curved upper edges of said side Walls and said partitions and bear thereagainst when moved to closed position, and a relatively stiller outer portion molded integrally therewith and adapted to overlie in a relatively flat manner a part of the front wall of said case when in said closed position, and means for securing said cover flap in said closed position, said partitions dividing said case into a pair of elongated side compartments and a relatively wider central compartment, said front wall being recessed adjacent the upper end of the central compartment, and a transverse reinforcing rib integrally secured to the relatively stifier outer portion of said cover flap and extending outwardly from the inside surface thereof, said transverse rib being of such length as to substantially fill the space between said partitions and extending so as to substantially abut the rear wall of said case at a location within the recess, so as to divide said central compartment, when the cover nap is in closed position, into a lower portion for receiving a fragile article such as a haemacytometer and an upper portion for receiving a second fragile article such as a haemacytometer cover plate, said transverse rib serving to strengthen said case against compression at a location intermediate upper and lower portions of said central compartment.

4. An elongated molded carrying case formed of semi-flexible plastic material and arranged to receive fragile articles, said carrying case comprising front and rear walls and a pair of side walls integrally joined together along their adjacent edges, a pair of spaced elongated partitions disposed between said side walls and integrally secured to said front and rear walls, a bottom Wall integrally secured to said side Walls, to said partitions and to said front and rear walls, a cover flap for closing the upper open end 01" said case, said cover flap comprising a relatively thin flexible portion molded integrally with said back wall and adapted to bear against the upper edges of said side walls when moved to closed position, and a relatively thicker stiifer outer portion molded integrally with said flexible portion and adapted to overlie a part of said front wall in close relation thereto when moved to said closed position, said partitions dividing said case into a pair of elongated side compartments and a rela tively wider central chamber, said front wall having a relatively deep recess formed in an upper portion thereof and located between said partitions, and a transverse reinforcing rib integrally secured to the relatively stiiier outer portion of said cover fiap and extending outwardly from the inside surface thereof, said transverse rib being of such a size as to extend to points closely adjacent both partitions and closely adjacent said rear wall when said cover flap is in its closed position, said transverse rib in closed position dividing said central chamber into an upper compartment and a lower compartment and serving as a closure member for said lower conipartment, said transverse rib also serving as strengthening means for intermediate portions of said side walls while in its closed position.

JOHN T. ARMBRUSTER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 264,096 McIntosh Sept. 12, 1882 1,195,217 Hawthorne et al. Aug. 22, 1916 1,680,804 Remley Aug. 14, 1923 2,168,822 Fink Aug. 8, 1939 2,368,803 Casnati Feb. 6, 1945 2,471,861 Cahn May 31, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 599,405 Great Britain Mar. 11, 1948 

